Chargers running back Melvin Gordon’s agent Fletcher Smith informed the team that he wanted a new contract or else he will holdout and demand a trade.
Two days later, Gordon spoke for the first time at SportsCon on Saturday, a three-day sports convention in Dallas, about hopes for contract negotiations.
“I want to end up with the Chargers. That’s my home. I’m not going to sit here and be like, ‘Man, I don’t want to go back to the Chargers, dah, dah, dah.’ Like that’s the team that blessed me with an opportunity. They started my life. They changed my life. Out of all 32 teams, that was the team that called me. I can’t forget them for that
But it’s an opportunity right now where I know I need to take advantage of it. You know, I want to get paid. That’s just kind of what it is. Hopefully I end up a Charger. That’s the goal,” Gordon said.
Gordon, who was drafted No. 15 overall by the Bolts in 2015, is entering the final year of his rookie contract — a fifth-year option worth $5.6 million, which makes him the 11th-highest paid running back.
When healthy, there’s no denying that he gives the offense an extra boost. Not to mention, he has gotten better every year, making it an even more difficult decision for the team to make when deciding the outcome.
But given his injury history, he wants to make sure he receives the hefty paycheck now before another injury this upcoming season could prevent him from receiving what he feels he deserves at the moment.
Gordon rushed for an average of 5.1 yards per carry and recorded 14 total touchdowns in 2018. He also averaged 114.6 scrimmage yards per game last season.
The ball is in the Chargers’ court now. It’s clear that the former Wisconsin product wants to remain on the team, but he appears to only stay with Los Angeles if he is making an eight-figure salary.
With the Bolts opening up training camp in less than two weeks, don’t expect Gordon to be a participant if a deal isn’t done. Only time will tell if both parties are on the same page.
